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For years, Americans have been smuggling sunscreens home from Europe, Australia and Asia. Now the filter everyone was after is finally on US shelves. Here is every BEMT sunscreen you can actually buy, and which one is right for your skin.
In June 2026, the FDA added bemotrizinol, better known as BEMT, to its list of approved sunscreen ingredients. It's the first new sunscreen filter approved in the US in more than 25 years, and it has been used in Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada for decades. As we explained in our deep dive on Neutrogena's new BEMT sunscreens, it's a very big deal for anyone who wears SPF every day.
Since then, the first BEMT sunscreens have started arriving in US stores. There are only a handful so far, so we've rounded up every one worth knowing about, from Ultra Violette's cult Australian formula to the drugstore options.
✦ At a glance
Best for oily & acne-prone skin: Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50
Best for sensitive skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50
Best for everyday & outdoors: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face SPF 70
Best drugstore pick for breakouts: Neutrogena Clear Face SPF 60
Coming in January: Ultra Violette Fave Screen SPF 50
Why BEMT is such a big deal
BEMT isn't just another sunscreen ingredient. It solves a problem US sunscreens have had for decades: weak, unstable protection against UVA rays, the ones linked to premature ageing and dark spots.
Protection
UVA and UVB in one
It protects against both UVA and UVB rays, so brands no longer need to combine several filters to get broad-spectrum coverage.
Stability
It doesn't break down
Avobenzone, the main UVA filter in US sunscreens until now, breaks down in sunlight. BEMT is far more stable, so it keeps working for longer.
Comfort
No white cast
Unlike many mineral sunscreens, it doesn't leave a white or grey cast, which matters especially for deeper skin tones.
Safety
Barely absorbed
It's a large molecule that barely penetrates the skin, and the FDA has classed it as safe and effective for adults and children from 6 months.
When compared with existing U.S. filters, bemotrizinol really shines in the UVA department.
Joel Schlessinger, MD, to NewBeauty
And if the idea of a "new" ingredient makes you nervous, it shouldn't. As NYU Langone dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Stein told OPB, it's not a brand-new ingredient that you'll be the first person to try. Europeans, Australians and Asians have been wearing it for more than two decades.
In the US, brands can use up to 6% BEMT, and you'll also see it listed under trade names like Tinosorb S and Parsol Shield. Check the active ingredients on the label for bemotrizinol.
The best BEMT sunscreens in the US
There are only a few BEMT sunscreens on US shelves so far, but they cover most skin types. Here's every one we'd recommend, and who each is for.
01
Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50
Best for: Oily, acne-prone and reactive skin
✦The first BEMT sunscreen launched in the US
✦A zinc-and-bemotrizinol formula
✦Soft-matte, non-comedogenic finish
✦Available from Ultra Violette and Sephora
Australian cult brand Ultra Violette was the first to bring BEMT to the US with Unblock Screen, which launched on 1 September 2026 according to Happi. Designed for breakout-prone skin, it pairs BEMT with zinc for gentle but strong protection, controls shine and blurs the look of pores. It also makes a great primer under makeup. If you have oily skin and hate the greasy feel of most sunscreens, start here.
Shop at Ultra Violette
02
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50
Best for: Sensitive, dry and normal skin
✦La Roche-Posay's first US Anthelios with BEMT
✦Lightweight, milky texture
✦Invisible finish, no white cast
✦Up to 24 hours of hydration
La Roche-Posay's Anthelios range is a dermatologist favourite in Europe, and this is the first US version made with BEMT. It has a light, milky texture that absorbs quickly without a white cast, and the brand says it's suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It also contains an antioxidant complex to help defend against pollution. A beautiful everyday sunscreen for anyone with sensitive skin.
Shop on Amazon
03
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70
Best for: Everyday wear, outdoor days and normal to dry skin
✦The highest SPF on this list
✦Lightweight, dewy and invisible finish
✦Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
✦Easy to find in drugstores
Neutrogena was the first major drugstore brand to launch BEMT face sunscreens, and Ultra Sheer is the one most people will want. It's light and dewy, disappears into the skin and is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, according to NBC News. Read our full review of Neutrogena's BEMT sunscreens for more.
Shop on Amazon
04
Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60
Best for: Acne-prone skin on a budget
✦Formulated for breakout-prone skin
✦Non-comedogenic
✦Lightweight texture
✦An affordable drugstore option
The drugstore alternative to Ultra Violette Unblock Screen. It's designed specifically for acne-prone skin and won't clog pores. Reviewers note the finish can feel slightly greasy, so if your skin is very oily, set it with a little powder or pick Unblock Screen instead.
Shop on Amazon✦ Coming in January
Ultra Violette Fave Screen SPF 50
Ultra Violette's second US BEMT sunscreen is due in January 2027. Fave Screen contains 5% BEMT plus niacinamide and vitamins C and E, and the brand describes it as an ultralight, brightening milk that works under makeup. Once it launches, Ultra Violette will be the only brand at Sephora with two BEMT sunscreens. We'll update this list as soon as it's out.
Which BEMT sunscreen should you choose?
✦Oily or acne-prone skin: Ultra Violette Unblock Screen for a matte finish, or Neutrogena Clear Face for a budget pick.
✦Sensitive or dry skin: La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense, with its hydrating, milky texture.
✦Outdoor days, sport and holidays: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer SPF 70, which is water-resistant.
✦Under makeup: Ultra Violette Unblock Screen now, or wait for Fave Screen in January.
Whichever you choose, apply it as the last step of your morning routine, after moisturiser and before makeup. Not sure where it fits? Here's what order to apply skincare. And remember that even the best sunscreen needs reapplying every two hours outdoors, and more often after swimming or sweating.
Frequently Asked Questions
✦What is BEMT in sunscreen?
BEMT is short for bemotrizinol, a sunscreen filter that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. It's very stable in sunlight, doesn't leave a white cast and is barely absorbed by the skin. It has been used in Europe, Asia, Australia and Canada for more than 20 years and was approved by the FDA in June 2026.
✦Which sunscreens contain BEMT in the US?
The first BEMT sunscreens in the US include Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50, La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVDefense SPF 50, Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Daily Face Sunscreen SPF 70 and Neutrogena Clear Face Sunscreen SPF 60. Ultra Violette Fave Screen SPF 50 is due in January 2027.
✦Does Ultra Violette use BEMT in the US?
Yes. Ultra Violette Unblock Screen SPF 50 was the first sunscreen with BEMT launched in the US, in September 2026. It's available from Ultra Violette and Sephora. A second BEMT sunscreen, Fave Screen SPF 50, is planned for January 2027.
✦Is BEMT the same as Tinosorb S?
Yes. Tinosorb S is a trade name for bemotrizinol, and you may also see it called Parsol Shield. On a US sunscreen label, it's listed as bemotrizinol in the active ingredients.
✦Is BEMT safe?
The FDA classes bemotrizinol as generally recognized as safe and effective for adults and children aged 6 months and older. It's a large molecule that barely penetrates the skin and has a low potential for irritation, according to dermatologists.
✦Is BEMT better than mineral sunscreen?
They work differently. BEMT offers strong, stable UVA and UVB protection without the white cast some mineral sunscreens leave. Some formulas, like Ultra Violette Unblock Screen, combine BEMT with zinc oxide for the best of both.
Have you tried a BEMT sunscreen yet? Tell us in the comments.
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